There is a saying that while caution is good, being too cautious can prevent anything from being accomplished.
Even so, excessive caution is still better than having none at all, though there are times when it produces the opposite effect.
A prime example would be Otto von Bismarck, who had overanalyzed someone acting without much thought and ended up entangling himself in unnecessary complexity.
"I see. So the Prime Minister personally apologized and even showed concern for you."
"Yes. Father… I mean, Your Majesty. It was not long, but it was a pleasant time. The Prime Minister of Prussia seems very thoughtful and kind. He even came personally to apologize."
"Yes. That must be the case. If you felt that way, then he must be such a person."
Poor Bismarck must have left with his mind in complete disarray.
When he came all the way to Buckingham to apologize directly to Edward and Gisela, I had clearly told him there was no need to go that far.
But I could guess why he insisted, so I allowed it.
"He even told me that if I worked hard, the people of the British Empire would recognize my efforts. We may not meet often, but perhaps we could exchange letters. Would that be inappropriate?"
"No. No one would object to simple personal correspondence."
"That is a relief. I actually have a plan of my own."
"A plan?"
It was unexpected.
Gisela hardly seemed the type to scheme beyond charity work.
"Yes. I may not represent Austria anymore, but Rudolf will become emperor one day, so it is different."
"That is true."
"While speaking with the Prime Minister, we agreed to work toward peace between our nations. So I thought perhaps I could act as a bridge between Rudolf and him."
Gisela enthusiastically explained their entire conversation.
To someone who knew both sides, the misunderstanding was almost comical.
"I see. I am glad he was satisfied."
"Yes. People call him the Iron Chancellor, but he seems warm and emotional to me."
"You should write that in a letter. He would be pleased."
Bismarck had attempted a calculated psychological exchange, only to be deflected entirely without intention.
Like a master strategist facing an unpredictable opponent, he could not anticipate her responses.
"Father, do you support my idea of acting as a mediator?"
"Of course. I see no reason to refuse."
This misunderstanding could be useful.
If handled well, it could help stabilize Prussia internally.
"Then I will arrange for you to meet the Prussian ambassador as well. I will assist you."
"Thank you very much."
It was an opportunity.
Gisela would feel fulfilled, and Bismarck could achieve reform.
Even if unintended, the outcome would benefit everyone.
Meanwhile, Bismarck returned to Berlin.
"Your actions in London became the talk of the city. Everyone has a different interpretation."
"I expected as much."
Many Junkers believed he had been frustrated by the growing alliance between Britain and Austria.
Some even regretted that a marriage with Britain had not been secured earlier.
"Why did you cry?"
He could not reveal the truth.
So he responded calmly.
"It was planned."
"…Planned?"
"Yes. To create the current situation."
He turned his mistake into strategy.
"Prussia's future diplomacy is uncertain. Expansionism will provoke other powers. We must control nationalist movements."
"You mean to reignite the debate intentionally?"
"Yes."
Confidence made the explanation believable.
"What is your plan?"
"Like removing infected flesh before it spreads, we must address dangerous elements early."
"You would suppress the Junkers?"
"Not directly. We must show how harmful extreme nationalism is."
Internal conflict would be dangerous.
But external pressure could achieve the same effect.
"The Balkans are already unstable. We can use that."
"Use it? You mean deliberately provoke damage?"
"A small loss now can prevent greater disaster later."
The idea unsettled the king.
"If we act, other nations will respond."
"Britain will overlook it. Then only France remains."
"And France?"
Bismarck paused briefly.
Then he answered.
"We bring a crown princess from France."
The king stared in disbelief.
Yet Bismarck remained confident.
If events unfolded as he believed, his plan would succeed.
He still held no doubt about what he had experienced in London.
***
Strong, without a doubt, yet somehow still flawed.
That single sentence perfectly captured the state of France in this era.
After being swept away by the storms of the Great Revolution and Napoleon, France had long struggled to stabilize its political system.
When another revolution nearly erupted due to accumulated public discontent, the new royal family suffered intense stress, haunted by the trauma of the past.
Most of the French elite still remembered the terror of the guillotine.
As a result, after overcoming that crisis with the support of the British imperial family, France naturally leaned toward a pro British stance.
In addition, despite the hardships of war with Russia and involvement in the American conflict, France had emerged as a victor in the end.
Though it had been forced to abandon parts of the American continent, it recovered by securing nearly half of Panama.
In Asia, it expanded further, consolidating control over Indochina and key territories in the Philippines.
Under the leadership of former Prime Minister François Guizot, who had pursued a pro British policy, domestic politics had also stabilized.
Past conflicts mattered less than present benefits.
Across France, it had long been accepted that aligning with the British Empire was the correct course.
However, relations with Prussia were more complicated.
"A marriage? Marguerite?"
King Louis frowned at the unexpected proposal.
"The Prussian crown prince wishes to marry a French princess?"
Objectively, Prussia was not a poor match.
But the timing and intention were questionable.
He sought advice from his ministers.
"Crown Prince Friedrich is the sole heir and will soon ascend the throne."
"How old is he?"
"Nearly forty."
"A fifteen year gap. Large, but acceptable for a king."
The real issue was Prussia's motive.
Marguerite was already of marriageable age, and her previous match had died unexpectedly.
From a personal standpoint, the proposal was favorable.
But politically, it was uncertain.
"If it were Austria, it would be simpler. But Prussia…"
The queen, herself connected to Austrian nobility, preferred an Austrian alliance.
At the same time, voices within France were calling for caution toward Prussia's growing strength.
It seemed likely that Otto von Bismarck was using marriage as a strategic tool.
"What does France gain from this?"
"It could improve relations."
"But what tangible benefit does that bring?"
For Prussia, the benefits were clear.
It faced Austria, France, and Russia simultaneously.
Securing France's friendship would ease its position greatly.
For France, however, the gain was less obvious.
It already held colonies in Algeria, Indochina, and the Philippines.
There was little desire for further expansion.
Instead, the focus was shifting toward strengthening existing holdings.
"Bismarck has long advocated a tripartite alliance with Britain and France."
"Dividing the world among three powers is an outdated idea."
"Perhaps the goal is to prevent Russia from rising."
"That sounds appealing, but can it be trusted?"
At that moment, urgent news arrived.
"The British Empire has responded. They propose sending a minister and the Crown Prince to attend the wedding."
"The Crown Prince himself?"
That level of involvement signaled strong support.
"It seems Britain is taking this seriously."
"Then we must investigate further."
The prime minister resolved to travel to London personally.
Meanwhile, Franz Joseph I found himself in a state of disbelief.
His daughter had become the Crown Princess of Britain.
That alone was remarkable.
But rumors suggested she was influencing events.
It seemed impossible.
"She is too gentle for such things."
"Rumors are often meaningless."
"No. Such rumors do not spread without cause."
Instead of fading, they continued to grow.
Some even described her as a brilliant diplomat.
"Nonsense. She is being slandered."
Yet doubt lingered.
He recalled the fate of Marie Antoinette, who had suffered false accusations and a tragic end.
He could not ignore the possibility.
He wrote a letter to Killian, asking him to protect her.
For me, the most important principles are fairness, affection, and peace.
Intervention and aggression must be avoided whenever possible.
That is why the challenges of Germany and America cannot be resolved directly.
Guiding events indirectly is the only option.
"Your Majesty, a letter from Emperor Franz Joseph."
I opened it and could not suppress a smile.
He was worried about rumors surrounding his daughter.
"I will ensure the truth is uncovered."
I sealed the reply.
Who could be spreading such rumors?
To slander the Crown Princess of the British Empire was unacceptable.
They would be found.
And they would pay the price.
***
It is often said that history is a combination of coincidence and inevitability.
At first glance, events may seem meaningless, but when examined later with all factors considered, they often reveal themselves to have been inevitable outcomes.
Even the First World War caused confusion when it first broke out.
The Sarajevo incident was significant, but could such an event alone really drag the entire world into war and result in nearly ten million deaths?
Even in the twenty first century, many view the trigger of the war as accidental.
However, the broader context tells a different story.
Europe had expanded beyond precedent, economic demand was beginning to outpace supply, and tensions among great powers were intensifying.
Nationalism further aggravated the situation.
In the end, it was a war that was bound to happen eventually, and one for which all of Europe shared responsibility.
Looking back, it is possible to understand why events unfolded as they did.
But in this era, without global communication networks, it is natural that people cannot fully grasp the underlying causes of events.
At first, I worried that as history diverged further, my knowledge of the future would lose its advantage.
The world had already changed far beyond what I once knew.
Take the American continent.
Lincoln has served three terms, and the South has moved beyond communism into a totalitarian state.
Up to a point, this was intentional, but after Engels established a dictatorship, it has moved beyond my control.
Even Lincoln's future remains uncertain.
Asia is no different.
Joseon has nearly restored its ancient territory, and Japan, under Okubo, continues to function effectively.
Recently, Japan even purchased the remaining half of Sakhalin from Joseon.
Even knowing the original history, such developments remain surprising.
Still, some stability has been achieved after reforming the military.
But uncertainty remains.
The Qing dynasty will inevitably collapse.
The question is how to manage that transition.
And the Middle East, rich in oil, will require continued attention.
Despite these changes, my advantage still remains.
Because this is still the nineteenth century, and people act within its framework.
Even when events differ, their underlying causes are often similar.
This makes it possible to predict outcomes with reasonable accuracy.
Therefore, adjusting plans to fit both the original timeline and the current reality is not difficult.
"So the rumors have spread as far as Austria."
"Yes. But within Britain, they are not widely believed."
"Then if the public hears them, they will assume it is slander."
"Exactly."
As expected, the situation was limited geographically.
The rumors existed mainly in Austria and Prussia.
Within Britain, they had little influence.
Of course, this had been partially guided.
"Then we proceed as planned."
"Of course. Those who dare slander the Crown Princess must be rooted out."
"With the Crown Prince and Princess attending the Prussian wedding, it will help shape public opinion."
"And what of Disraeli?"
"He insists on attending."
Despite his age, Benjamin Disraeli remained determined.
Wellesley advised allowing him to proceed.
"Very well. But monitor his condition."
As they spoke, attention turned to the broader plan.
"We will attribute the rumors to radical nationalist groups in the Balkans."
"That would align with their goals of destabilizing Austria."
"It fits perfectly. And if it aligns with Bismarck's plans, the Balkan situation can be managed for now."
Everything appeared to be falling into place.
With Prussia handling internal tensions and Austria stabilizing, the risk of conflict could be reduced.
"The powder keg of Europe is nearly defused."
Only one step remained.
Ensuring Prussia and Austria followed separate paths without conflict.
"Nationalism is not inherently bad, but excess leads to disaster."
"Indeed. Our model will guide others."
Just as they finalized their plans, sudden commotion arose outside.
"Your Majesty, there has been an incident."
"What happened?"
"Radical groups seeking to establish a Serbian kingdom staged a protest near Crown Prince Rudolf's residence and were arrested."
"…What?"
The timing was too precise.
Even Wellesley assumed it was planned.
But it was not.
For the first time, events had moved without his direction.
Something had begun.
***
"My dear citizens, this is an attack not only on our nation, but on our ally as well."
"My goodness. What kind of reckless fools would commit such an act?"
After hearing Killian's press conference, citizens gathered in small groups, checking the newspapers and reacting with shock.
"I heard extremists gathered in front of the Austrian Crown Prince's residence and caused a disturbance before being arrested."
"Really? But why is that considered an attack on us?"
"Think about it. The Austrian Crown Prince is a state guest. If something had happened to him, who would be responsible?"
"…Us. So those people were trying to damage our reputation?"
"Exactly. And he is still just a young boy. What could he possibly have done to deserve such treatment?"
Killian did not add much himself.
However, the outline of the incident had already spread through the press, and as it passed from person to person, it became increasingly exaggerated.
"I heard they were not just protesters, but an armed group."
"Some say they were actually trying to assassinate him."
"If the police had not intervened in time, it could have been a disaster."
"In broad daylight, in the middle of London? They are completely insane."
At first, the incident was seen as nothing more than a violent protest.
But new details were continuously added.
The Crown Prince was young.
He was closely connected to the British imperial family.
Then came reports that Gisela had fainted upon hearing the news.
Though later corrected, the damage was done.
Soon, the narrative expanded further.
Rumors connected the attack to slander against the Crown Princess.
Politicians began speaking out.
They demanded a thorough investigation and punishment of those responsible.
Even claims that the Crown Prince had suffered breathing difficulties spread rapidly.
Some rumors even suggested he was on the brink of death.
"Prime Minister, is His Highness truly safe?"
"Of course. You may visit him if you wish."
"…I would, but he does not seem to like my visits."
"There are many false rumors, but he will soon appear in public."
True to those words, a few days later, Crown Prince Rudolf appeared alongside Edward and Gisela at a public charity event.
He declared confidently that he was unharmed and that the friendship between their nations remained strong.
The public responded warmly.
He was still young, yet showed courage.
"That is a fine young prince."
"He will grow into a great leader."
"And look at the Crown Princess. She must have been so worried for her brother."
Public sentiment shifted strongly in their favor.
Killian said little, but support for action grew rapidly.
Two weeks later, news arrived.
A secret organization existed in Serbia, working to undermine Austria's unity.
In the political world, rivalries defined the era.
Figures like Benjamin Disraeli and William Ewart Gladstone had competed for decades.
Even as they aged, their rivalry remained well known.
Supporters on both sides continued to argue fiercely.
Some mocked Gladstone for lacking victories.
Others dismissed Disraeli's success as dependent on Wellesley.
In truth, both were shaped by the same reality.
Wellesley dominated British politics.
Disraeli managed party affairs.
Gladstone struggled to gain ground.
Yet time had changed them.
They were no longer young.
"I intend to retire from international affairs after this."
"Are you certain?"
"At this age, one must prepare."
Disraeli spoke calmly.
He had done enough.
Now he would step back and support younger politicians.
"And you?"
"I will continue. I still have twenty years in me."
They exchanged faint smiles.
Both had the ability to lead.
Yet neither could surpass the one above them.
Such was their fate.
Meanwhile, the Serbian secret organization grew rapidly.
With military backing, it expanded without restraint.
"Propaganda, manipulation, violence. We will use everything to prevent Austria from integrating its minorities."
Agents were sent into Austria.
Their goal was to inflame tensions.
If Austria appeared to oppress Slavs, support for Serbia would grow.
But an unexpected problem emerged.
"What do you mean? Who did that?"
"That is what we want to know. Who sent people to London?"
"No one here would do something so foolish."
When the British Empire issued statements implying Serbian involvement, confusion spread within the organization.
They assumed someone had acted prematurely.
"Find Petar immediately."
"Bring him here."
As accusations flew, the leadership realized they were in trouble.
Austria demanded answers.
Britain was watching.
And the organization had barely begun.
Crisis had arrived before they were ready.